Definitions

runner

[ruhn-er] / ˈrʌn ər /

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one who runs n.
vine n.
one who runs n.

NOUN

one who runs

Synonyms

STRONGEST

contestant entrant hurdler marathoner racer sprinter

STRONG

carrier courier jogger messenger

WEAK

cross-country runner distance runner long distance runner middle distance runner trackman

Antonyms

STRONG

receiver

NOUN

vine

Synonyms

STRONG

branch offshoot tendril

NOUN

one who runs

Synonyms

STRONGEST

hurdler marathoner racer sprinter

STRONG

courier harrier jogger messenger page

Antonyms

STRONG

receiver

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for runner?

The word runner commonly refers to someone who regularly runs for exercise, often as a hobby. The word jogger is sometimes used to mean the same thing, but some runners don’t like to be called joggers (for various reasons). In the context of the sport of track, the word runner refers to one of the contestants in a race (less commonly called a racer). There are different kinds of runners depending on the kind of race, including sprinters, long distance runners, marathoners, and cross-country runners. An athlete who participates in track events might say that they run track. In baseball, a runner is more commonly called a base runner. In football, a runner is often called a ball-carrier, a general term for whichever offensive player has the ball and is running with it (often the running back). In some contexts, the word runner refers to a person who gets and delivers things, such as messenger, a courier, or a smuggler (as in gun runner and drug runner). The word runner can also refer to a long and narrow stretch of carpet, such as for a stairway or hall, or a decorative strip of fabric that runs the length of a table (this is typically called a table runner).

What is another word for food runner?

In restaurants, a food runner (or just runner) is a member of the serving staff whose job is to assist the servers, especially by bringing food to the diners. While food runners may be called servers, such as by diners, they’re usually not the ones taking orders. Some of the responsibilities of a food runner may be the same as those of a busser.

How do you use runner in a sentence?

Runner is a common word with widely varying meanings and uses. Here are some examples of runner in a sentence:

I’ve always liked to run, but I had never considered myself a “runner” until I started entering 5Ks.
My college had a very small track team, so I was both a sprinter and a long distance runner.
As an intern, you’ll be doing a lot of random jobs, but you’ll be more than just a runner getting people lunch and coffee—you’ll be working on real projects.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

runner runners

Is Everett, a former world and Olympic gold medalist, a better chef than he was a runner?

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 9, 2026

The former European champion and two-time Olympic runner died on Sunday after she was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer.

From BBC ● Nov. 3, 2026

Rachel Apa, a former Division I field hockey player and first-time marathon runner, died Sunday after she collapsed while participating in the New York City Marathon.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 3, 2026

Your humble shoe salesperson might be an elite marathon runner.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026

Every time the pigeon-toed runner got on base, she was ready to help him steal home.

From "In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson" by Bette Bao Lord

One of the runners who went to hospital told local news outlet KEYT-TV that they had lost consciousness and could not remember parts of the race.

From BBC ● Nov. 10, 2026

The course keeps runners along the water for most of the race, but near the end, leads them up a steep hill, she said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 10, 2026

“Our medical team treated numerous runners for dehydration and overheating both on the course and at the finish line,” Monico said in an emailed statement.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 10, 2026

North Wales Police has launched a campaign - Operation Cadence - to address harassment of female runners, and want incidents to be reported.

From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2026

The four relay runners were practicing baton handoffs.

From "Crash" by Jerry Spinelli

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